Grandma’s Influence

As a new grandmother, I have wanted to help my children and their families in any way I can. We are very concerned about living in a way that is environmentally friendly so the use of cloth diapers made a lot of sense to us. I read a great deal about the new cloth craze and learned a great deal from your information. Since I used the old style cloth diapers on my four and I have used some disposables as well, I have had a lot of real experience in this area even though it was a number of years ago. My 54 year old eyes read things very differently than my kids’ 20 + year old eyes. Maybe it does not always work this way, but my kids were very willing to hear what I have had to say about cloth diapering the grandkids since they value my experience and insight.

After reading all sorts of information, I ordered several types of cloth diapers for the grandbabies and we tried them this past Thanksgiving when everyone came here. My kids were so impressed with the ease of use and care of the diapers after being a bit skeptical before they tried them.

I think grandparents can play a huge roll in encouraging young parents to use cloth diapers. I was able to spend a little bit of money buying the diapers as gifts, but I also helped choose the ones that might work best for my children. Keep encouraging the extended families to be supportive of the young families so we can get more and more using the cloth diapers for the health of the babies and the environment.

Wow, that's awesome. I had to teach my mom about cloth diapering. I was born in the 70's when synthetic and disposable everything was in. I got bottle fed, disposable diapered, you name it. But when I showed my mom the cloth diapers I got for my baby shower, she was impressed and supportive. She thought that diapers have come such a long way and they looked very easy to use. (At the time all I had was a pack of Kushies AIOs.) My mom loves learning about all the new kid/baby stuff these days and looks to follow my lead in whatever I choose for my kids. I say "Go Grandmas!!!!" I heart grandmas.

Its amazing how supportive and helpful you choose to be as a grandmother. I am still trying to talk my mom into like the fact that I do cloth, and helping her understand it is not just one more indication of how poor I am (we are not poor!).

My mother was the main reason we started cloth diapering over 4 years ago. We started out with a dozen Gerber Prefolds, two pairs of Rubber Covers and a set of Pins. Because well, that is what my Mom was used to. Then we did some research and found there were other great options. But after all was said and done I prefered my Prefolds (changing from Gerber to DSQ) and Bummis Wraps. No need for pins or Snappis. Although we do have a couple Snappis. I love when family can be supportive.

I'm fortunate that my mom has also been extremely supportive of my cloth diapering. She thinks it's great and is eager to try out the new stuff, too–like you, she used only the old style prefolds with pins. She loves the new covers and diapers that are available now.

What would we do without Grandma's like you! Thankfully my mother and mother-in-law are very suppotive of my cloth diapering. They are my main childcare and because of that my daughter has never had to wear disposables.

Wow! I also have a supportive mother and mother-in-law who both remember cloth diapering. Even though it is a bit different now than when they used cloth, it gives us just one more connection point with each other and helps us stay close!

Your kids are lucky to have you around! My mom and mother-in-law are very supportive of our decision to cloth diaper, but they are not quite so pro-active! It will be a learning experience for all of us.

I hope my family comes around soon! The plus is that both my mom and inlaw (and of course my grandmothers) did cloth at least once, but now they are so intimidated by the process, that they leave it to me! I want to use my mother as a baby sitter now and then. I hope I don't have to buy a pack of sposies just for her!

Janet- That is wonderful you are so supportive. I'm blessed because my mom is totally supportive on me and was really excited when I told her we were cloth diapering. She cloth diapered me and my brother when we were little. I went to visit her recently and she wanted to do the babies diaper laundry!

Great post Janet! I can't wait to change diapers in droves while protecting the environment at the same time. Everyone needs a hip grandmother like you to persuade them away from the easy and yet destructive way of disposables.